The recent spate of assault and brawl among prison inmates has prompted the authorities to install CCTV cameras on the Arthur Road and the Yerwada jails’ premises.

The recent spate of assault and brawl among prison inmates has prompted the authorities to install CCTV cameras on the Arthur Road and the Yerwada jails’ premises.

The installation of cameras in the two jails is expected to be completed by this year-end.

The jail authorities had proposed that the CCTV cameras be installed in jails all across the state. However, for approval has been given for two most important jails.

Some of the important accused and undertrials from across the country are kept in Arthur Road and Yerwada jails. If the installation of CCTV cameras in these two jails yields results, then the authorities will consider the plan for other jails across the city.

“The purpose of installing CCTV cameras is not only to keep a tab on the activities of the inmates but also to keep a tab on the jail staff,” said Surinder Kumar, inspector general (prisons).

Kumar added that the CCTV cameras would help check on the jail staff’s behaviour towards the inmates and their alertness.The monitoring room will be located close to the superintendent’s office of the respective jails. Dedicated staff will be selected to monitor the CCTV footage.

As per the initial plan, the permission to install over 150 cameras in both the jails has been granted. Seventy cameras will be set up at the Arthur Road jail. More than 80 CCTV cameras will be installed at the Yerwada jail, which is bigger than Arthur Road jail.